Match Preview: Republic FC vs. Fresno FC

By Omar Gonzalez, 06/12/18, 2:00PM PDT

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Sacramento and Fresno kick off their new rivalry at 7 p.m. on Wednesday night.

No rest for the indomitable.

In what will be their fifth game in 15 days, Sacramento Republic FC travel down to the Central Valley to take on Fresno FC on Wednesday, June 13. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

Wednesday’s matchup will be the first official contest between Sacramento and Fresno. The two sides previously played to a physical 1-1 draw in a preseason friendly back in March. Former Republic FC players Danny Barrera, Augustin Cazarez, Mickey Daly and Christian Chaney now ply their trade at Fresno FC, which adds an additional layer of intrigue to the nascent rivalry.

Republic FC enter the match following a 0-0 draw at home with Phoenix Rising FC. Despite a free-flowing 3-1 Republic FC win in Arizona just last month, the two sides stifled each other at Papa Murphy’s Park with only two shots on target recorded. Had Jeremy Hall converted his 45th-minute penalty kick attempt, the story may have turned out differently, but instead, the two sides split the spoils and remain tied in points in the Western Conference.

Fresno FC will host Sacramento after drawing 1-1 on the road with Reno 1868 FC on Saturday night. Jose Cuevas had given Fresno the lead before Brian Brown equalized for the home side just minutes later. With the draw, the Foxes now sits 11th in the Western Conference heading into Wednesday’s match.

Jemal Johnson leads the USL newcomers in goals with six to his name, while Bradley Kamdem Fewo is the club’s assist leader. Off the pitch, the Zorros are led by Head Coach Adam Smith who previously served as Republic FC’s assistant coach from 2015-2017.